Note 1: Basis of Accounting

Private equity investments

On 1 January 2005, UBS adopted revised IAS27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements, and revised IAS 28 Investments in Associates.

IAS 27 has been amended to eliminate the exemption from consolidating a subsidiary where control can be exercised temporarily. Private equity investments where UBS owns a controlling interest are now consolidated whereas they were previously classified and accounted for as “Financial investments available-for-sale”. The adoption was made retrospectively from 1 January 2003 and comparative prior periods presented were restated. The effect of consolidating these investments is as follows: on 1 January 2003, opening equity including minority interests was reduced by CHF 723 million, representing the difference between the carrying value as “Financial investments available-for-sale” and the book value on a consolidated basis. Consolidation led to recognition of total assets in the amount of CHF 1.7 billion and CHF 2.9 billion on 31 December 2004 and 2003, respectively. Significant balance sheet line items affected include property and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and other assets. These investments generated additional operating income of CHF 2.5 billion and CHF 2.7 billion in 2004 and 2003, respectively and additional net profit attributable to UBS shareholders of CHF 142 million and CHF 74 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively. In the comparative fourth quarter 2004, additional operating income was CHF 0.6 billion and additional net profit attributable to UBS shareholders was CHF 87 million.

IAS 28 has likewise been amended to eliminate the exemption from equity method accounting for investments that are held exclusively for disposal. Private equity investments where UBS has a significant influence are now accounted for using the equity method whereas they were previously classified and accounted for as “Financial investments available-for-sale”. The adoption was made retrospectively from 1 January 2003 and comparative prior periods were restated. Application of the equity method of accounting for these investments had the following effects: on 1 January 2003, opening equity was reduced by CHF 266 million, representing the difference between the carrying value as “Financial investments available-for-sale” and the book value according to the equity method basis. The carrying value of these equity method investments was CHF 248 million and CHF 393 million on 31 December 2004 and 2003, respectively, which includes equity in losses of CHF 55 million and gains of CHF 10 million recognized in the income statement in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Gains on sale recognized in 2004 and 2003 were CHF 1 million and zero, respectively. When accounted for as “Financial investments available-forsale”, gains on sale recognized were CHF 70 million in 2004 and CHF 34 million in 2003. In the comparative fourth quarter 2004, equity in losses was CHF 1 million. There was no sale of an investment where UBS has significant influence in fourth quarter 2004.

These entities, along with all other investments made by the Private Equity business unit, were reclassified from the Investment Bank segment to the Industrial Holdings segment effective 1 January 2005. In addition, six of the newly consolidated investments held at 1 January 2003 were sold in fourth quarter 2004 or later and nine investments held for sale are presented as discontinued operations in the restated comparative prior periods in accordance with IFRS 5, which is discussed on the next page. Two investments were sold in fourth quarter 2004. The restated net profit from all entities presented as discontinued operations in the comparative fourth quarter 2004 was CHF 88 million.

Share-based compensation

In February 2004, the IASB issued IFRS2 Share-based Payment, which requires share-based payments made to employees and non-employees to be recognized in the financial statements based on the fair value of these awards measured at the date of grant. UBS adopted the new standard on 1 January 2005 and fully restated the two comparative prior years. In accordance with IFRS 2, UBS applied the new requirements of the standard to all prior period awards that impact income statements commencing 1 January 2003. This includes all unvested equity settled awards and all outstanding cash settled awards on 1 January 2003. The effects of restatement were as follows: the opening balance of retained earnings on 1 January 2003 was credited by CHF 559 million. Additional compensation expense of zero and CHF 558 million was recognized in 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the comparative fourth quarter 2004, additional compensation expense of CHF 48 million was recognized. The change in compensation expense is attributable to the first-time recognition of compensation expense for the fair value of share options, as well as the recognition of expense for share awards over the vesting period. Previously, share awards were recognized as compensation expense in the performance year which is generally the year prior to grant. The reason for the zero impact in 2004 was that a significantly higher amount of bonus payments were made in the form of restricted stock rather than cash in 2004 compared to 2003. The reversal of compensation expense attributable to these share payments offsets the effect from recognizing options at fair value and share awards made prior to 2004 over the vesting period.

UBS introduced a new valuation model to determine the fair value of share options granted in 2005 and later. Share options granted in 2004 and earlier are not affected by this change in valuation model. As part of the implementation of IFRS 2, UBS thoroughly reviewed the option valuation model employed in the past by comparing it to alternative models. As a result of this review, a valuation model was identified that better reflects the exercise behavior of employees and the specific terms and conditions under which the share options are granted. Concurrent with the introduction of the new model, UBS is using implied and historic volatility as inputs into the new model.

UBS also has employee benefit trusts that are used in connection with share-based payment arrangements and deferred compensation schemes. In connection with the issuance of IFRS 2, the IFRIC amended SIC 12 Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities, an interpretation of IAS 27, to eliminate the scope exclusion for equity compensation plans. Therefore, pursuant to the criteria set out in SIC 12, an entity that controls an employee benefit trust (or similar entity) set up for the purpose of a share-based payment arrangement is required to consolidate that trust. Consolidating these trusts had the following effects: on 1 January 2003, no adjustment to opening retained earnings was made as assets and liabilities of the trust were equal. Consolidation led to recognition of total assets in the amount of CHF 1.1 billion and CHF 1.3 billion and liabilities of CHF 1.1 billion and CHF 1.3 billion on 31 December 2004 and 2003, respectively. The amount of treasury shares increased by CHF 2,029 million and CHF 1,474 million on 31 December 2004 and 2003, respectively. The weighted average number of treasury shares held by these trusts was 22,995,954 in 2004 and 30,792,147 in 2003, thus decreasing the denominator used to calculate basic earnings per share. The reduction in weighted average shares outstanding increased basic earnings per share, but had no impact on diluted earnings per share, as the additional treasury shares were fully added back for calculating diluted earnings per share.

Goodwill and intangible assets

On 31 March 2004, the IASB issued IFRS 3 Business Combinations, revised IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, and revised IAS 38 Intangible Assets. UBS prospectively adopted the standards for goodwill and intangible assets existing on 31March 2004 on 1 January 2005, whereas goodwill and intangible assets recognized from business combinations entered into after 31March 2004 were accounted for immediately in accordance with IFRS 3. Goodwill is no longer amortized, but instead reviewed annually for impairment. UBS recorded goodwill amortization expense of CHF 722 million in 2004 and CHF 784 million in 2003.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination must be recognized separately from goodwill, if they meet defined recognition criteria. Existing intangible assets that do not meet the recognition criteria under the new standards have to be reclassified to goodwill. On 1 January 2005, UBS reclassified the trained workforce intangible asset recognized in connection with the acquisition of PaineWebber with a book value of CHF 1.0 billion to goodwill.

Insurance contracts

On 31 March 2004, the IASB issued IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts. The standard applies to all insurance contracts written and to reinsurance contracts held. The majority of insurance products issued by UBS are considered investment contracts and are not accounted for under IFRS 4. UBS adopted the new standard as of 1 January 2005. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material effect on the Financial Statements.

Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations

On 31 March 2004, the IASB issued IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations. The standard requires that non-current assets or disposal groups be classified as held for sale if their carrying amount is recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. Such assets are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and are classified separately from other assets in the balance sheet. Netting of assets and liabilities is not permitted. Discontinued operations are presented on the face of the income statement in a condensed format as three amounts comprising (1) the before tax total of the profit or loss of discontinued operations and the gain or loss recognized on the sale or the measurement to fair value less costs to sell of the net assets constituting the discontinued operations, (2) the related income tax amount, and (3) the net profit or loss. In the period where an operation is presented for the first time as discontinued, the income statements for all comparative prior periods presented are restated to present that operation as discontinued.

IFRS 5 provides certain criteria to be met for a component of an entity to be defined as a discontinued operation. Certain private equity investments met this definition and were reclassified as discontinued operations. UBS adopted the new standard on 1 January 2005 and restated comparative prior years 2004 and 2003. The income statement now presents the results from continuing operations and from discontinued operations separately.

Presentation of minority interests and earnings per share

With the adoption of revised IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements on 1 January 2005, “Net profit” and “Equity” are presented including minority interests. Net profit is allocated to net profit attributable to UBS shareholders and attributable to minority interests. Earnings per share will continue to be calculated based on net profit attributable to UBS shareholders, but will be allocated to earnings per share from continuing operations and from discontinued operations. Minority interests and earnings per share are presented on the face of the income statement.